Back Deputy INGO Forum Director

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. The Program / Department / Team Sudan INGO Forum Sudan is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, marked by widespread displacement, disease outbreaks, and confirmations of famine in several ‘hunger hotspots.’ In an effort to coordinate INGO efforts and establish a common voice for INGOs operating in Sudan, the INGO forum was established in 2009 as a key representation platform. To date, the forum is made up of 51 members and 17 observers operating across the country, including in some of the most difficult to reach parts of Sudan. The INGO Forum is a permanent member of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG). It co-leads the Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG), alongside OCHA and spearheads collective engagement with Government and other Authorities as well as with donors. The forum also leads collective advocacy nationally, regionally and internationally through its Advocacy Working Group (AWG) and in close coordination with the regional Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) and Member liaison offices in key donor/diplomatic capitals around the world. Since 2023, the situation in Sudan has dramtically shifted as state and non-state actors wage a brutal conflict. The situation in non-Sudanese Armed Forces - controlled areas is particularly dire, with humanitarian access severely restricted and the absence of United Nations (UN) presence exacerbating the challenges. As humanitarian needs continue to escalate, there is an urgent need for an interim solution to address critical gaps in coordination, common services and aid delivery. To this end, the three core tenants of the INGO Forum’s work include:

• Coordinated aid delivery – Enhancing operational alignment across organizations to maximize humanitarian impact.
  • This includes establishing an NGO-led coordination mechanism under the Sudan INGO Forum to provide immediate, effective, and well-managed humanitarian responses in these areas to ensure that urgent needs are met and operations are not disrupted.
    • Common service provision – Offering essential support, analysis, and shared resources to facilitate NGO operations.
      • This includes common negotiation support i.e. for access or against BAI, collective advocacy efforts, information sharing, donor and stakeholder engagement, security and admin SOPs and collective position papers, etc.
        • Stakeholder coordination and representation – Engaging with donors, UN agencies, authorities, and the broader humanitarian system to advocate for improved response conditions.
          • There is of course a convening and facilitation role included in this representation function The Position Access to people in need remains one of the greatest challenges for INGOs operating in Sudan. Deteriorating security, limited physical access and significant bureaucratic and administrative impediments have left many of those most in need with limited to no access to assistance. Given the highly dynamic security, political and conflict situation, humanitarians are preparing for increasing complexity in reaching the most vulnerable populations in hard-to-reach areas. The INGO-F Deputy Director will have specific responsibilities for collating information to provide analysis and advice to members on matter of common concern related to access impediments including bureaucratic and administrative impediments in close coordination with the area coordination leads and with the INGO-F Director. This position will also focus on analyzing, facilitating, and coordinating collective humanitarian access to negotiations, products, and initiatives.